In a landmark show of solidarity, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) have strengthened their partnership to foster inclusive and sustainable agricultural transformation across Africa and the Americas. This comes at a time when global food systems face increasing pressure from climate change, geopolitical tensions, and rising food insecurity.
Building on four years of collaboration following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2021, AGRA and IICA have now formalized a comprehensive work plan to respond to countries’ growing calls for deeper technical cooperation. Their aim is to build resilient food systems by supporting public and private sector institutions, promoting environmentally sound practices, and sharing innovations that benefit smallholder farmers and rural communities.
This partnership is especially timely, as both regions prepare for significant milestones—COP30 in Brazil and the G20 Summit in South Africa. These forums present opportunities to raise the profile of South-South cooperation and spotlight the potential of intercontinental collaboration in addressing food and climate challenges.
AGRA, with its strong footprint across African nations, has long championed efforts to strengthen smallholder farming through government partnerships and collaborations with civil society, the private sector, and farmers. IICA, on the other hand, plays a pivotal role across the Americas as a technical agency dedicated to rural development and sustainable agriculture.
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Together, the two organizations will focus on improving rural livelihoods, increasing agricultural productivity and trade, enhancing climate resilience in food systems, and scaling up regenerative and sustainable practices. The alignment of their priorities signals a shared commitment to a future where agriculture not only feeds but also protects the planet.
Speaking on the new agreement, AGRA President Alice Ruhweza emphasized the importance of learning and innovation exchange between regions. “This partnership with IICA is a powerful demonstration of what South-South collaboration can achieve. Latin America’s approaches and innovations hold great value for Africa, and by bringing our strengths together, we are positioning our farmers and communities for long-term success,” she noted.
IICA’s Director General, Dr. Manuel Otero, echoed the sentiment, stating that Africa and the Americas face similar agricultural realities and can find common ground in their pursuit of sustainable solutions. He pointed to Africa’s immense agricultural potential—home to 65% of the world’s uncultivated arable land and 10% of its renewable freshwater—as a major opportunity to drive global food system transformation.
Dr. Otero sees the collaboration as a pathway to scale up regenerative tropical agriculture, support vulnerable communities, and accelerate Africa’s rise as a major player in global food production. “Africa has what the world needs,” he said. “With the right support, it can become the next agricultural frontier.”
The partnership is also rooted in a series of high-level dialogues and collaborative initiatives between the two regions. These include the Africa-Americas Joint Ministerial Summit in Costa Rica in 2022, the Inter-regional Roundtable in Vietnam in 2023, and the launch of the Africa Living Soils Initiative in Kenya in 2024. Each of these milestones underscored the urgency of integrated approaches to food systems transformation and soil health restoration.
Most recently, the Africa-Brazil Dialogue on Agricultural Research, Development, and Innovation was held in Brasilia, convening scientists, policymakers, and diplomats from both regions. One of the key outcomes of the meeting was a letter of intent to promote the exchange of 30 African researchers with counterparts in Brazil. These exchanges are expected to fast-track knowledge sharing on climate-smart technologies, regenerative agriculture, and the restoration of degraded lands.
This deepened partnership between AGRA and IICA represents more than just diplomatic alignment—it is a call to action. By working together across borders, Africa and the Americas are not only addressing their shared challenges but also offering the rest of the world a model of cooperation that is inclusive, forward-thinking, and deeply rooted in sustainability.
